Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Alpena Harbor Lighthouse

Fl R 5s🇺🇸Michigan's Eastern Lower Peninsula, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Alpena Harbor Lighthouse

This red lighthouse, built in 1914, stands 13 meters tall with a focal height of 15 meters. It guides vessels on Lake Huron near Alpena, Michigan, marking the entrance to the Thunder Bay River from Thunder Bay. The structure is situated on the north breakwater of Alpena Harbor. Its light emits a single red flash with a geographic range of 9 nautical miles. The current weather-protected light replaced earlier wooden structures that served since 1877 and 1888.

Why it matters: The Alpena Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the state inventory list, recognizing its historical significance.

Background
The Alpena Light, also known as the Thunder Bay River Lighthouse or Alpena Breakwater Light, is a lighthouse on Lake Huron near Alpena, Michigan. Standing on the north breakwater of Alpena Harbor, the light marks the entrance to the Thunder Bay River from Thunder Bay. The current lighthouse, built in 1914, replaced earlier wooden structures which had been in use since 1877 and 1888. The current light is a weather-protected structure on a steel frame. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006, and the state inventory list the same year.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl R 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
15m
Geographic Range
9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1914
Heritage Status
2

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
LLNR 11370
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q4734801 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Color
red

Location

City
Michigan's Eastern Lower Peninsula
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
45.0604°
Longitude
-83.4229°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Alpena Harbor Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near US, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Alpena Harbor Lighthouse at night?+
Alpena Harbor displays the characteristic Fl R 5s — 1 red flash every 5 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Alpena Harbor Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Alpena Harbor Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is ALPENA at 0.2 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include PRESQUE ISLE (17 NM N), HARRISVILLE (24.8 NM SSE), Calcite (25.8 NM NW), Rogers City (27.2 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Alpena Harbor Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Alpena Harbor Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Alpena Harbor Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Alpena Harbor Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.